According to Koreaboo, many controversies in the Korean entertainment industry have become the focus this year, shocking the public and being discussed a lot in the media, social networks, and online communities.
These incidents are not only hot topics in Korea but also known to many international audiences.
1. Suga drove drunk
Late on the evening of August 6, Suga (BTS) fell while driving an electric scooter while drunk , outside the Nine One Hannam apartment complex in Hannam-dong, Yongsan-gu, Seoul.
Although no one was injured in the incident, when tested for blood alcohol content, Suga violated the limit of 0.227%, much higher than the 0.08% driving license revocation level.
Suga is also the Kpop idol with the highest alcohol level violation ever, while he told the police that he "only drank 1 glass of beer".
2. Former NCT member Taeil's sexual assault allegations
On August 28, the management company of boy band NCT, SM Entertainment, suddenly announced that male idol Taeil had been removed from the group NCT, because he was being investigated in a criminal case related to sex crimes.
Police later said Taeil had been under investigation since June and the victim in the case was an adult woman.
3. Conflict between Min Hee Jin and HYBE
In April, HYBE Group suddenly conducted an audit of its subsidiary ADOR (managing the group NewJeans) and asked ADOR CEO Min Hee Jin to resign due to suspicions that she and her associates were plotting to take over ADOR.
After months of public infighting, Min Hee Jin has now been fired from her position as CEO and HYBE has appointed internal director Kim Joo Young to replace her.
For months, the war between Min Hee Jin and HYBE has caused Kpop to be in turmoil, exposing the dark side of the industry, and dragging many artists and groups into the controversy.
4. The love story between Han So Hee, Ryu Jun Yeol and Hyeri
In March, actress Han So Hee and actor Ryu Jun Yeol were embroiled in a dating controversy involving Ryu Jun Yeol's ex-girlfriend, actress Hyeri.
Hyeri and Ryu Jun Yeol dated since 2017, after appearing together in the drama “Reply 1998”. They broke up in November 2023. Four months later, Han So Hee and Ryu Jun Yeol were spotted vacationing together in Hawaii. This sparked speculation that Ryu Jun Yeol left Hyeri for Han So Hee.
Han So Hee denied the accusations of being the “third person” and publicly criticized Hyeri, while Ryu Jun Yeol remained silent. The couple faced a public backlash for weeks. They eventually broke up just two weeks after confirming their relationship.
5. LE SSERAFIM's live performance was a disaster at Coachella
This April, HYBE Group's girl group, LE SSERAFIM, was heavily criticized after their performance at the 2024 Coachella music festival. The live performance of all 5 members was considered a "disaster", "the shame of Korea"...
The members' statements then continued to cause controversy, causing LE SSERAFIM's image to decline further.
6. Jennie (Blackpink) smokes in the house
In July, Jennie (Blackpink) was spotted smoking an e-cigarette indoors while in Capri, Italy. Capri's laws prohibit people from smoking in enclosed spaces.
In particular, Jennie was criticized for smoking right in front of the makeup artist who was serving her.
Jennie later apologized for the incident through her own company Odd Atelier.
